On March 14, Drexel University President John Frye released a statement addressing recent student concerns regarding his revenue. This message was sent to the Drexel community following a report of President Frye’s salary on Feb. 16.
“I am pained that many students have expressed their views that I am unworthy of $2 million each year,” stated President John Frye. “I want to be transparent and justify that all of the money is dedicated to making sure I can be the best university president Drexel has ever seen.”
Included in the message is an itemized list of receipts President Frye has personally made to “benefit Drexel’s reputation and [his] superiority as a president.”
The list includes the following items and reasons for purchases, according to President Frye:
- A 20- foot statue of President Frye outside the Arlen Specter US Squash Center, “extending a welcoming hand to all squash players”: $500,000
- A solid gold squash racket “to show opponents how rich I am, intimidating them in play”: $8,676.25
- The renaming of Market Street to Drexel Street, “so everyone across the city knows how to reach our campus”: $1,200
- A trip to space with Virgin Galactic to “spread the good word of Drexel University around the globe”: $450,000
- Stylists, tailors and a new $500 suit everyday, “demonstrating my commitment to image and prestige”: $255,500/year
Students on campus have mixed feelings about President Frye’s message. Some admire his transparency and willingness to devote himself to the Drexel community.
“He’s so real,” said a fifth-year business student. “If everyone sees that our president is always decked out, they’ll be dying to come here. He’s actually a really good businessman.”
On the other hand, some students expressed outrage over President Frye’s spending habits.
“I can barely afford groceries after being paid $10 an hour at Drexel while Frye is spending millions of dollars on a whim,” said a third-year biology student.
President Frye concluded his message by saying, “I invite the Drexel community to join me in my pursuit of excellence.”